Reddish Whip Snake
Platyceps collaris (Muller, 1878)
Coluber rubriceps (Venzmer, 1919): Bartochik & Beshkov, 1979: 39; Bartochik, Bechkov, Tzenov, 1981: 55; Coluber rubriceps rubriceps (Venzmer, 1919): Beshkov, 1985: 37; Coluber rubriceps thracius (Rehak, 1985): Rehak, 1985: 276; Coluber collaris (Muller, 1878): Schatti, Baran, Maunoir, 2001: 22.
Order Squamata
Family Colubridae
Conservation status: in Bulgaria: Critically endangered CR [B1a], BDA-III; International: IUCN-LC, BeC-II.
General distribution. In Europe – only along the Bulgarian Black Sea shore between Sozopol and Ahtopol, probably also around Istanbul; in Asia – sporadically in Northwestern and Southern Asia Minor and along the eastern coasts of the Mediterranean and Jordan. In Bulgaria, the subspecies Platyceps collaris thracius is found, along the Bulgarian Southern Black Sea shore [1].
Distribution and abundance in Bulgaria. The species was registered in Bulgaria in 1979 [2]. Only 8 habitats are known, with total numbers up to several hundreds of individuals. The habitats are isolated between each other. They are situated at 0,2 – 10 km from the sea shore, at altitudes of 10 – 100 m. The most northwestern one is in the region of Sozopol, the most southeastern one near Ahtopol [2, 3, 4, 5]. There are no reports on its distribution and numbers in the past. Two of the 8 known habitats were found after 2000.
Habitats. It inhabits stony places overgrown with herbaceous and short bushes. For shelter it uses rock cracks leading into the depth, piles of stones, etc. [6].
Biology. Multiplication in Bulgaria has not been studied. An egg-laying species. In the middle of July it lays 3 – 6 eggs sized 24,9 – 29,6 x 8,1 – 8,5 mm [5]. It probably feeds on small lizards (Ablepharus, Lacerta, Podarcis), etc. It is not poisonous. It rarely reaches a length of 1 m.
Similar species. Dahl's Whipsnake (Platyceps najadum). The Reddish Whip Snake has no narrow, perpendicular white fields in front of and behind the eye, whereas in Dahl's Whipsnake they are clearly marked [7].
Negative factors. The intensive search for it and its gathering by collectors; building roads through the habitats; building resort and tourist complexes along the Southern Black Sea coast.
Conservation measures taken. Included in Bulgarian Red Data Book, 1985, in the category endangered. Two habitats are included in the Ropotamo reserve and the Strandzha natural park. The rest of the habitats fall within the network of Natura 2000 protected territories. Portrayed on a poster of protected species of reptiles (1998).
Conservation measures needed. Strict control on the activities of collectors; territorial protection of the habitats that are more distanced from the sea; non-disclosure of known habitats and those that will be found in the future.
References. 1. Rehak, 1985; 2. Bartochik & Beschkov, 1979; 3. Bartosik et al., 1981; 4. Obst, 1981; 5. Rehak, 1986; 6. Beschkov, 1985; 7. Beshkov & Nanev, 2002.
Author: Vladimir Beschkov
